Karen Black dies of cancer

Easy Rider Star was 74.

by Jennie Kermode

Karen Black in Five Easy Pieces
Karen Black in Five Easy Pieces

Karen Black, who starred in such iconic films as Easy Rider, Five Easy Pieces and The Great Gatsby (1974), has died at the age of 74. After beginning her career on Broadway, she enjoyed a long and eclectic film and TV career during which she worked with everyone from Francis Ford Coppola to Alfred Hitchcock. She won two Golden Globes and was nominated for an Oscar.

Always giving her all to the films she appeared in, and working across many different genres, Black had an unmistakable screen presence. Earlier this year, despite deteriorating health, she completed work on The Being Experience with Terrence Howard and Famke Janssen. She subsequently moved into a nursing home. She is survived by her husband, Stephen Eckelberry, her son Hunter and her daughter Celine.

Share this with others on...
News

An unexpected friendship Sean Pecknold on bringing a neighbourhood to life in Tennis, Oranges

'Movies give you the energy to give time to time' Vivianne Perelmuter and Isabelle Ingold on their open approach to New Beginnings

Uncertain waters Justin Anderson on unpredictability, the influence of Buñuel, and Swimming Home

Finding a balance Kelly Anderson on Industry City and Sunset Park in Emergent City

Lynne Ramsay and Kirsten Stewart back on the Croisette Cannes organisers add titles to the final mix as opening night looms

More news and features

We're bringing you news, reviews and more from Fantaspoa and Queer East.



We're looking forward to Cannes.



We've recently brought you coverage of Visions du Réel, the Overlook Film Festival, BFI Flare, the Glasgow Short Film Festival, South by Southwest, the Glasgow Film Festival, the Berlinale, Sundance, Palm Springs and DOC NYC.



Read our full for more.


Visit our festivals section.

Interact

More competitions coming soon.